Research Scholar

Position Summary:

The Research Scholar in the Department of Special Education will contribute to Project BRiiDGE, an IES-funded research project examining interactions and relationships between teachers and students who exhibit challenging behavior. The Research Scholar will play a central role in the project's methodological, analytic, and scholarly activities, including developing and iteratively refining observational coding manuals and protocols; developing and implementing data management plans; building and maintaining study databases; planning and conducting data analyses; and training and providing ongoing guidance to graduate research assistants in observational coding, scoring, data management, and data entry procedures. The Research Scholar will collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator (PI; Lloyd), Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs), and other project team members to interpret findings and disseminate project results to practitioner and research audiences. The Research Scholar will have opportunities to lead first-authored manuscripts and contribute as a co-author to additional peer-reviewed publications arising from the project. This position offers substantive involvement across multiple phases of the research process, including measurement and methods development, data management and analysis, research team training, and scholarly dissemination.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week). The anticipated duration of the position is two years, contingent upon the continued availability of funding.

About the Work Unit:

This project is housed within the Lloyd Lab in Vanderbilt's Department of Special Education. More information about the research group can be found at https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/lloyd-lab/.

Vanderbilt's Department of Special Education has a longstanding record of scholarship, training, and impact in the field of special education. Faculty and staff are committed to preparing students from diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and supports to individuals with disabilities and their families. The Department has consistently been recognized among the nation's leading special education programs by U.S. News & World Report. More information is available at https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

In collaboration with the PI (Lloyd) and other members of the Project BRiiDGE team, the Research Scholar will carry out the following activities:

• Observational Measurement, Data Systems, and Analysis

• Lead the development, documentation, and iterative refinement of observational coding manuals and protocols.

• Lead the design, construction, documentation, and maintenance of project databases and associated data management procedures.

• Develop and implement procedures for monitoring data quality and the reliability of observational data.

• Plan and conduct analyses to assess interobserver agreement and reliability of observational measures.

• Plan and conduct statistical analyses addressing the project's primary and exploratory research questions.

• Collaborate with the PI, Co-PIs, and other team members in interpreting and communicating study findings.

• Research Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead training and ongoing calibration activities for graduate research assistants conducting observational coding.

• Lead research team meetings focused on observational coding, data quality, scoring, data management, and entry of data into project databases.

• Provide ongoing guidance and feedback to graduate research assistants regarding observational coding and data procedures.

• Collaborate with the project coordinator to support effective training, workflow, and communication among graduate research assistants and other project personnel.

• Contribute to the continued development and documentation of efficient, rigorous, and reproducible research procedures.

• Scholarly and Practitioner Dissemination

• Prepare data briefs, reports, and presentations for participating school districts and schools.

• Develop posters, papers, and symposium presentations for practitioner and research conferences.

• Lead the development and submission of first-authored manuscripts examining teacher-student interactions and relationships involving students with challenging behavior.

• Contribute as a co-author to additional peer-reviewed manuscripts arising from Project BRiiDGE.

• Collaborate with the PI, Co-PIs, and other project personnel in interpreting findings and developing scholarly products.

• Contribute to grant proposals and other funding applications, as appropriate.

• Accountability

• Meet weekly with the PI to establish priorities, review progress, address challenges, and plan upcoming project activities.

• Establish and meet agreed-upon timelines for data products, school and district reports, conference submissions, and presentations.

• Establish and meet agreed-upon timelines for the development and submission of peer-reviewed manuscripts.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of coding, data management, and analytic procedures.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have formal personnel supervisory responsibility. The Research Scholar reports administratively and functionally to the Principal Investigator of Project BRiiDGE (Dr. Lloyd).

Education and Certifications:

• A doctorate in special education, education, psychology, applied behavior analysis, or a closely related discipline is required.
• BCBA certification or substantive graduate-level training in applied behavior analysis is strongly preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience conducting education, behavioral, or social science research.

• Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing quantitative research data.

• Experience with observational measurement or systematic observational data collection.

• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply complex coding protocols with a high degree of accuracy and consistency.

• Strong scholarly writing skills and experience contributing to research manuscripts, reports, conference presentations, or other scholarly products.

• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple research activities, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively within a research team.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience conducting school-based research involving students with challenging behavior and/or the teachers and staff who support them.

• Experience developing, refining, or implementing observational coding systems, particularly those focused on teacher-student interactions or behavior in school settings.

• Experience training or supporting research assistants in observational coding and establishing or maintaining interobserver agreement.

• Experience developing and implementing research data management procedures and maintaining study databases.

• Experience conducting statistical analyses on observational data sets.

• Experience using statistical software appropriate for quantitative education research.

• A record of scholarly writing or publication related to teacher-student interactions, student behavior, special education, or a closely related area.

• Experience contributing to conference presentations, peer-reviewed manuscripts, grant proposals, or other scholarly products.

Research experience obtained during doctoral and post-doctoral training may be used to satisfy the experience qualifications described above.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

• Teamwork- Values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn't expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other's strong suits
• Shares- Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge. Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully.
• Raises the Bar- Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
• Hard-Working- Is industrious as well as efficient; can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed

General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:

ACCOUNTABILITY: Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one's role.

• Works through Issues- Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren't going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren't going well; does everything possible to remedy the situation directly before bringing in management
• Reliable- Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn't push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity- Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
• Acceptance of Feedback- Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it - freely admits mistakes

COLLABORATION: Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers' needs.

• Optimism- Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn't bring their own personal "little black clouds" into the work environment
• Teamwork- Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn't expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other's strong suits
• Honest and Transparent- Doesn't have hidden agendas, doesn't play people against each other; is authentic and forthright
• Helpful Nature- Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate

COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.

• Shares- Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that "knowledge is power" is less effective than "sharing knowledge is power." Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully
• Is Positive- Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical
• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately- When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, "pretend your children are watching" how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
• Responds Promptly- Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren't returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response

DRIVE & GRIT: Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.

• Perspective- Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
• Raises the Bar- Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience- Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability- Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts

ENGAGED: Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.

• Eager- Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one's personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working- Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn't the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
• Believes- Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization's mission
• Creative Thinking- Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions

JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN: Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes, exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro, and works to ensure others are able to do the same.

• Autonomous- Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
• Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesn't pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn't engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
• Detail-Oriented- Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail in one's work indicates care about the outcomes
• Assumes the Best- Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don't know what someone does, it doesn't mean they're not doing anything